Cruise Control
Discussion
Now, I'm not terribly fond of cruise control on the motorway. The sensation of not being in control of the vehicle's speed is unpleasant and I think it makes one into a lazy driver.
However, there is a long, smooth, wide stretch of 30MPH that I travel daily (Ormesby Bank/Cargo Fleet Lane in Middlesbrough, for those that know it), and if it were not for the fact that it's right through the middle of a residential area, you'd say that 40MPH or beyond would be a more natural speed. Add to this the fact that it's largely downhill and you can imagine that one spends a certain amount of time keeping an eye on the speedometer, simply because 30MPH on this particular stretch, while being perfectly reasonable (there's people/kids/dogs/etc about) feels like 20 because of the width and smooth nature of the road.
In order to allow me to prioritise observation up and speed limit compliance down, is it useful or sensible to set one's cruise control for 30MPH and concentrate on ensuring that one doesn't run over the locals? Am I just being lazy?
However, there is a long, smooth, wide stretch of 30MPH that I travel daily (Ormesby Bank/Cargo Fleet Lane in Middlesbrough, for those that know it), and if it were not for the fact that it's right through the middle of a residential area, you'd say that 40MPH or beyond would be a more natural speed. Add to this the fact that it's largely downhill and you can imagine that one spends a certain amount of time keeping an eye on the speedometer, simply because 30MPH on this particular stretch, while being perfectly reasonable (there's people/kids/dogs/etc about) feels like 20 because of the width and smooth nature of the road.
In order to allow me to prioritise observation up and speed limit compliance down, is it useful or sensible to set one's cruise control for 30MPH and concentrate on ensuring that one doesn't run over the locals? Am I just being lazy?
Hello CJ - I know where you mean as I used to live just off Ormesby Bank. Cruise control won't help going down the top half of OB though as it's too steep, but it would be OK on Cargo Fleet Lane, which is so wide that 30 mph feels all wrong. I would have thought a 40 mph limit would have been more reasonable along there.
BTW, do any cruise control systems apply the brakes if you overspeed going down hills, or do they merely content themselves with closing the throttle?
Best wishes all,
Dave.
BTW, do any cruise control systems apply the brakes if you overspeed going down hills, or do they merely content themselves with closing the throttle?
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Tried using my cruise control in a 30mph limit with car in third gear. On a downhill section where car ran over 30mph even with throttle fully closed by cruise control my attention was drawn to my speed by a constant beeping if an indicated 35mph was exceeded. Brakes were not applied by cruise control.
I think this is one of those things which comes into the category of "things I might not do on my advanced test, but are bloody useful in real life"
e.g. As in using cruise control in a long 40 mph motorway road works monitored by scamps.
Re brake lights and cc, recently I followed one of those Mercs which has the laser/radar/however it works cruise control which keeps the vehicle a distance back from the vehicle in front. It definitely seemed to me as if the brake lights came on when it used brakes to check the speed, and a right sodding nuisance it was too.
Very strange pattern of flickering brake lights, not at all like the usual thing you get from someone who is just too close and has to keep dabbing the brakes, and unlike somone who is riding the brake pedal with left foot. Very odd. I just made space and let them get on with it.
e.g. As in using cruise control in a long 40 mph motorway road works monitored by scamps.
Re brake lights and cc, recently I followed one of those Mercs which has the laser/radar/however it works cruise control which keeps the vehicle a distance back from the vehicle in front. It definitely seemed to me as if the brake lights came on when it used brakes to check the speed, and a right sodding nuisance it was too.
Very strange pattern of flickering brake lights, not at all like the usual thing you get from someone who is just too close and has to keep dabbing the brakes, and unlike somone who is riding the brake pedal with left foot. Very odd. I just made space and let them get on with it.
lazy
no its a challenge to keep it on and by anticiaption and forward observation make progress with out having to switch it off
draw backs - you suddenly find yourself hurtling towards the rear of cars like a rocket
some t
t decides to match your speed and refuses to either slow or pass
some tt you past a mile ago decides to pass you, then slows, you pass him and so on for the next 20 miles
always takes slightly longer to stop or the initial stopping takes longer than just letting your foot off the accelerator and applying brakes
you can suddenly look a dick when you forget to switch it on and wonder why the car is slowing
no its a challenge to keep it on and by anticiaption and forward observation make progress with out having to switch it off
draw backs - you suddenly find yourself hurtling towards the rear of cars like a rocket
some t
t decides to match your speed and refuses to either slow or pass some t
t you past a mile ago decides to pass you, then slows, you pass him and so on for the next 20 miles always takes slightly longer to stop or the initial stopping takes longer than just letting your foot off the accelerator and applying brakes
you can suddenly look a dick when you forget to switch it on and wonder why the car is slowing
Zod said:
I used it for the first time last month in the SPECS-monitored section of the M1 widening works. My general attitude is that CC is a tool for lazy unengaged drivers.
Must agree with Zod..one of our Very experienced Group members used it on a RoSPA re-test and got Silver...after years of Gold.
Using CC to keep within speed limits???
Billhooks! My ars***le and eyes tell me the speed of the car within 2 or 3 MPH.
BOF said:
Zod said:
I used it for the first time last month in the SPECS-monitored section of the M1 widening works. My general attitude is that CC is a tool for lazy unengaged drivers.
Must agree with Zod..one of our Very experienced Group members used it on a RoSPA re-test and got Silver...after years of Gold.
Using CC to keep within speed limits???
Billhooks! My ars***le and eyes tell me the speed of the car within 2 or 3 MPH.
What do you want? A prize? people use it so they can drive long boring motorways without their fot in position x for 8 hours...
Andy,
Having lived in the US, and driven in 13 countries, I can understand the use of CC in a large country with generally straighter roads than in the UK, cars that drive like sponges, and almost no Nationwide advanced driver training...
(See Eddie Wren - doing his best)
...www.driveandstayalive.com/index.htm
And a very high incidence of road fatalities per capita...
www.driveandstayalive.com/info%20section/statistics/stats-multicountry-percapita-2003.htm
No prize required, Thanks.
BOF.
Having lived in the US, and driven in 13 countries, I can understand the use of CC in a large country with generally straighter roads than in the UK, cars that drive like sponges, and almost no Nationwide advanced driver training...
(See Eddie Wren - doing his best)
...www.driveandstayalive.com/index.htm
And a very high incidence of road fatalities per capita...
www.driveandstayalive.com/info%20section/statistics/stats-multicountry-percapita-2003.htm
No prize required, Thanks.
BOF.
Edited by BOF on Thursday 24th August 20:43
BOF said:
Andy,
Having lived in the US, and driven in 13 countries, I can understand the use of CC in a large country with generally straighter roads than in the UK, cars that drive like sponges, and almost no Nationwide advanced driver training...
(See Eddie Wren - doing his best)
...www.driveandstayalive.com/index.htm
And a very high incidence of road fatalities per capita...
www.driveandstayalive.com/info%20section/statistics/stats-multicountry-percapita-2003.htm
No prize required, Thanks.
BOF.
Having lived in the US, and driven in 13 countries, I can understand the use of CC in a large country with generally straighter roads than in the UK, cars that drive like sponges, and almost no Nationwide advanced driver training...
(See Eddie Wren - doing his best)
...www.driveandstayalive.com/index.htm
And a very high incidence of road fatalities per capita...
www.driveandstayalive.com/info%20section/statistics/stats-multicountry-percapita-2003.htm
No prize required, Thanks.
BOF.
Edited by BOF on Thursday 24th August 20:43
Not quite sure what that post has to do with anything... So you would rather have your foot planted firmly in position x for 6 hours on a long trip? Not sure why you see a problem in that.
What does US advanced driving schols have to do with anything?
Your profile shows that you are in the US - where population density (number - not intellect) and the size of the country make CC a different proposition to using it in the UK and much of Europe...you are probably aware that its' use is illegal on Belgian motorways for safety reasons?
My comment on US driving standards was a suspicion that driving long distances in "auto mode" does nothing for road safety.
BOF.
My comment on US driving standards was a suspicion that driving long distances in "auto mode" does nothing for road safety.
BOF.
I used CC when driving HGVs a few years ago. I used to set it at about 54mph (the vehicle was limited to 56mph) and used anticipation and acceleration sense to keep good progress. Advantages were that it maintained a steadier speed than the top speed limiter, alowed a slight margin to build up momentum for hills, improved economy and avoided getting drawn into the 55-56mph snail race in lanes 1 & 2. It also avoided the muscle/joint problems of little movement of the right leg over 4.5 hour stints.
BOF said:
Your profile shows that you are in the US - where population density (number - not intellect) and the size of the country make CC a different proposition to using it in the UK and much of Europe...you are probably aware that its' use is illegal on Belgian motorways for safety reasons?
My comment on US driving standards was a suspicion that driving long distances in "auto mode" does nothing for road safety.
BOF.
My comment on US driving standards was a suspicion that driving long distances in "auto mode" does nothing for road safety.
BOF.
I've only been in the US for just over a year... I used CC all the time on motorways back home.
I had CC in Syracuse 13221 NY on my Chevy Impala, but arrived on Dec 1st for 6 months and had 162" of snow that winter, so don't recall having used it much.
I have used it on a 20 year twice monthly commute to Antwerp - leaving home at 5.30AM - empty roads...found I could beat it by 2mpg by observation, and preferred the involvement of driving the car...same with my current car - 2mpg better with the right foot when I have tested it.
Different strokes for different folks - I still cannot see a place for CC in ADVANCED driving - I tell every one of my IAM 'victims' that they should forget their radios during the period I am trying to prepare them for test, and concentrate on 'The System' every time they drive...it's their £85-00 if they prefer to listen to Ken Bruce and fail the Test...it's MY unpaid time and petrol they are taking...trying to save maybe ONE Trafpol knocking on one door one night with bad news.
BOF
(Boring Old Fart)
I have used it on a 20 year twice monthly commute to Antwerp - leaving home at 5.30AM - empty roads...found I could beat it by 2mpg by observation, and preferred the involvement of driving the car...same with my current car - 2mpg better with the right foot when I have tested it.
Different strokes for different folks - I still cannot see a place for CC in ADVANCED driving - I tell every one of my IAM 'victims' that they should forget their radios during the period I am trying to prepare them for test, and concentrate on 'The System' every time they drive...it's their £85-00 if they prefer to listen to Ken Bruce and fail the Test...it's MY unpaid time and petrol they are taking...trying to save maybe ONE Trafpol knocking on one door one night with bad news.
BOF
(Boring Old Fart)
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